Jul102024
B31 Blog

Your Base31 Family-Friendly Guide for Summer

Calling all friends and family! We have a variety of free and ticketed experiences running all summer long that are perfect for all ages. Here’s your Base31 Family-Friendly Summer Guide.

THE COMMISSARY

Photo Credit: Logan Somers
The Commissary is Base31’s new outdoor food + drink market. Outdoor concerts take place almost every weekend from July to September. There are a ton of seating areas, food options for all tastes and a sandy area with play structures by The Commissary Stage that’s perfect for kids to play in!

Kids drinks are all the rage in The Commissary! We have a large selection of juices, local sodas, and pops, including Mohawk Sodas and Lemonade Dave and our spin on the ever-popular Shirley Temple.

Check out the weekly specials:

SHUCK + SIP | Tuesdays 4pm – 7pm

The PEC Wine Club presents fresh oysters shucked to perfection and paired with our finest sparkling wines. Unwind, mingle and enjoy delicious local flavours.

FUSION TACO NIGHT | Wednesday 4pm – 10pm
Savour the fusion of Indian and Mexican flavours from Arvy’s Street Eats and delicious fish tacos from Cressy Mustard Co. Enjoy special prices on Micheladas and groove to vibrant Indian fusion tunes!

BEER + WING NIGHT | Thursday 4pm-10pm
Indulge in mouthwatering BBQ wings by Smoking J’s BBQ, enjoy special prices on draft beer and relax to your favourite country music.

APRÈS BEACH | Fridays + Saturdays 4pm – 7pm
Kick off your weekend at The Commissary with refreshing shareable cocktails and live music, perfect for groups. Pierogies by Pinched and fried fish by Cressy Mustard Co. (Fridays only)

LATE NIGHT | Fridays + Saturdays 8pm – 12am
We have DJs spinning and a rotating menu of cocktails. Arvy’s Street Eats is open until midnight and Smoking J’s BBQ is open until 11pm! Enjoy the late night-vibes all summer long.

SUNDAY FUNDAY | 12 noon – 6pm
Spend Sunday with La Baracca featuring Pasta Palace from 12 noon to 3pm. Plus there’s a special price on our Sbagliato Cocktail at The Commissary Bar + Cafe!

The Commissary hours are:

  • Wednesday 9am to 10pm
  • Thursday 9am to 10pm
  • Friday 9am to 12am
  • Saturday 10am to 12am
  • Sunday 10am to 7pm
  • Monday 11am to 7pm
  • Tuesday 9am to 8pm

Individual kitchen hours can be found on our website, and only some kitchens are open in the earlier part of the week. Be advised that service may also conclude earlier than indicated.

SENSORY GARDEN

Photo Credit: Burak Özsoy
This Sensory Garden is open to the public seven days a week for families and friends to discover. Whether you are a child or child at heart, the Sensory Garden offers a unique, whimsical space that heightens the senses (smell, sight, taste, touch and sound) through nature-based play. Be sure to check out the mud kitchen, the outdoor performance stage and more. The Sensory Garden is located at the far north side of the site, to the left of Building 3 beside the Aviators Garden.

Plus, if you’re searching for a unique outdoor space to celebrate a birthday, baby shower, milestone, or a whimsical place to bring a group together for a picnic lunch, the Sensory Garden is now open for semi-private bookings. This new enchanting space highlights the senses and provides an interactive space for all ages to enjoy. Check out the details on our website!

While you explore the grounds, pay attention to your senses, surroundings and the gorgeous art mural and sensory signs “Exploring the Senses” by artist Portia “Po” Chapman, that you will find around the garden. The Sensory Garden was designed by Wild Child Regeneration.

OUTDOOR SUMMER CAMP

Outdoor Summer Camp has officially started! If you didn’t know, or haven’t figured out what camp you’d like your kids to discover, don’t worry – there are 8 weeks of camp left at Base31 for them to enjoy, from ages 4 to 15. Plus – there’s a paid lunch option you can add on! From solar-powered cooking to imaginative theatre, each day campers will have the chance to learn, collaborate, and develop new skills while building lasting friendships along the way.

The camp is designed to provide kids with an unforgettable summer experience, filled with exciting activities and opportunities to explore a bit of history, art, sport and nature. Kids will have the chance to unplug from technology and reconnect with nature. It runs every week Monday to Friday until the lat week of August. 

You can also purchase multiple camp weeks as part of the checkout process! Campers aged 4 to 9 are in a group, and campers 10 to 15 are another. There’s a brand new dedicated indoor space for campers this year and they’ll enjoy spending time in the Sensory Garden!

NIGHT TIME ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAMILY: NIGHT WATCH

Night Watch Photo Credit: Burak Özsoy
Experience Night Watch on Friday and Saturday nights!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FRIDAYS

It’s Family Night, where families can enjoy our Family Ticket Bundle which gives you a 20% savings per ticket for a family of four or more. Perfect for families, this enchanting after-dark adventure offers a blend of art, technology and nature that will delight visitors of all ages. Explore the stunning installations, marvel at the glowing artwork and create unforgettable memories under the starry sky.

FRIENDS GROUP SATURDAYS

Join us every Saturday night and make your post-concert experience one to remember. The magic begins when the music ends! Gather your friends and explore 10 breathtaking exhibits, each offering a unique and enchanting atmosphere. Perfect for social groups, our special Saturday night Friends Ticket Bundle saves you 20% per person on four or more tickets purchased. It’s the ultimate after-dark fun, where you can meet new people, reconnect with old friends and keep the vibes going long into the night.

Plus, adults will love the exclusive Lonely Hearts Club bar! Make sure to swing by The Commissary for even more late-night snacks or drink options. 

Night Watch is created in collaboration with The Department of Illumination.

NIGHT TIME ACTIVITIES FOR THE FAMILY: MAGIC HOUR MARKETS

Photo provided by PEC Markets
Stop by The Commissary every Friday night between 4 and 10pm to step into the County’s vibrant art scene with Magic Hour Markets, hosted by PEC Markets and Base31. Magic Hour Markets redefine shopping by featuring fun and innovative art-centric vendors. Enjoy The Commissary’s Après Beach live music and vibrant energy while you shop.

AVIATORS GARDEN

Photo Credit: Burak Özsoy
The Aviators Garden is located at the front of Base31 by the main entrance and is a welcoming space to wander through, relax in and celebrate nature, native species, plants and art. There are some seating spaces here and it’s a gorgeous spot to take the family. Bring a good book, or bring a game to play in the garden! It’s yours to discover.

GUIDED AND SELF-GUIDED TOURS OF BASE31

Delve into the depths of Base31’s past with a Stories + History Tour. This guided tour takes you on a journey with Jacqui Burley, the former Property Manager of the site when it operates as Loch Sloy Business Park. She unveils the stories behind its buildings, recounts unforgettable moments, and introduces the remarkable people who contributed to its vibrant legacy. The tour takes about 90 to 120 minutes to enjoy.

Tour the site at your own pace with a Self-Guided Tour! Immerse yourself in the stories of the past as you stroll through historic grounds, listening to personal interviews from community members. Let the enchanting narratives of Peter Lockyer and Jacqui Burley guide you through 13 stops around the 70-acre site. Self-Guided Tours are available in English and French and take one hour to enjoy. Self-guided tours are produced in partnership with Experience Ontario.

To read more about family-friendly events at Base31, visit our website.